Pro Football Focus makes strong statement about Joey Aguilar’s outlook if he returns to Tennessee in 2026
The Tennessee Vols are still waiting to hear if Joey Aguilar will be eligible in 2026.
The Tennessee Vols are still waiting to hear if quarterback Joey Aguilar will be eligible for the 2026 season.
Aguilar, who is seeking an additional season of eligibility due to only playing three previous seasons of NCAA football, is planning to attend the NFL scouting combine later this month regardless of what decision is eventually handed down (the NCAA could appeal if Aguilar is granted another season of eligibility.)
Pro Football Focus is high on Joey Aguilar if he returns to Tennessee in 2026
If Aguilar returns to Tennessee for the 2026 season, he’ll almost certainly be the Volunteers’ starting quarterback.
Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, true freshman Faizon Brandon, and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub will compete for reps, but it’ll be Aguilar’s job, barring injury, if he’s back on Rocky Top.
And Pro Football Focus thinks that’s a great thing for the Vols.
PFF’s Max Chadwick labeled Aguilar as a top-10 returning quarterback in college football if he plays for the Vols this fall.
“Incumbent starter Joey Aguilar is currently seeking a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, which would allow him to play in the 2026 season,” wrote Chadwick. “If he gets it, he’s a top-10 returning quarterback in the sport. Aguilar’s 90.6 PFF passing grade in 2025 was fourth in the FBS behind Julian Sayin, Diego Pavia and Fernando Mendoza. If Aguilar’s lawsuit is unsuccessful, we’ll project George MacIntyre to win the job. The former top-15 quarterback recruit played in two games as a true freshman as the Volunteers’ third-string quarterback. Expect five-star true freshman Faizon Brandon and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub to compete for the job as well.”
MacIntyre and Brandon are the more talented options on Tennessee’s roster, but Aguilar’s one season as a starter in Josh Heupel’s offense makes him, at least for now, the best option for the Vols in 2026. If Aguilar suits up for Tennessee this fall, it’ll be just the second time that Heupel’s had a returning starting quarterback at UT.
Considering the previous instance was the 2022 season with Hendon Hooker, which was the Vols’ best season so far under Heupel, that should be a pretty exciting thought for Tennessee fans.
For now, though, Aguilar will have to continue to wait to find out whether he’ll be sticking around on Rocky Top for one more season or if he’ll be making the move to the NFL.
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